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Vascular Neurology

Vascular neurology focuses on the treatment of vascular issues that involve the central nervous system, including stroke, brain hemorrhages and other kinds of brain bleeds.

What's a Vascular Neurologist?

A vascular neurologist is a neurologist with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke. While all neurologists can treat stroke, vascular neurologists are known as "stroke doctors" because of their extra stroke-focused training.

If you or a loved one show signs and symptoms of stroke, call 911 for immediate medical attention. Prompt treatment may save your life and help reduce long-term effects of a stroke.

Conditions Treated

See the full list of conditions we treat, and select a condition to find providers and locations near you.

Conditions

What is a Stroke?

A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells begin to die and abilities controlled by the affected area of the brain are lost. These abilities include speech, movement and memory.

What's My Stroke Risk?

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Use the acronym FAST to spot common signs of stroke. It could save your life or the life of a loved one.

Face – Smile. Does one side of the face droop?

Arms – Raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech – Repeat a simple phrase. Is speech slurred or strange?

Time – If you observe any of these signs, call 911 right away.

Streamlined Stroke Diagnosis

When you arrive at an Essentia emergency room with stroke symptoms, your care team assesses your condition right away so you can get the right treatment as soon as possible. To diagnose your stroke, your doctor will:

If you come to the hospital by ambulance, paramedics begin evaluating your condition and communicating with Essentia doctors while you’re en route so we can expedite your care.

Timely Stroke Treatment

Your stroke treatment will depend on the type of stroke you are experiencing and how much time has passed since your symptoms started.

If you’re a candidate for a clot-busting medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), rely on us to get you the medication quickly—door-to-treatment time at our Primary Stroke Centers is consistently under 60 minutes.

If you’d benefit from a surgical treatment that’s not available at your location, depend on us to quickly and safely transport you to the nearest hospital that performs the most effective treatment for your condition.

Stroke Thrombectomy

The new minimally invasive surgery, known as the stroke thrombectomy, benefits stroke patients.

Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation

You’ll appreciate a care team that starts planning for your recovery as soon as you’re admitted to the emergency room. You may work with a care coordinator, patient navigator, social worker, or nurse to decide where to go when you leave the hospital and help you connect with resources in your hometown community.